News release: Minnesota public health advocates honored for leadership, impact and service

News Release
October 3, 2019

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Minnesota public health advocates honored for leadership, impact and service

Awards announced last night at Community Health Conference in Brainerd

Minnesota’s public health community honored six people and three groups for outstanding contributions to public health in Minnesota at a Wednesday night awards ceremony held in conjunction with the annual Community Health Conference in the Brainerd area.

Recipients of the annual Community Health Awards are nominated by their peers and represent achievements in community service, health improvement, reducing health inequities in Minnesota and more.

Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm commended the honorees for their commitment to serving Minnesota communities.

“It’s a great honor to present these awards to some of Minnesota’s dedicated public health professionals, elected officials and volunteers,” Commissioner Malcolm said. “These awards recognize people who have used their skills and talents to make a significant contribution to public health in Minnesota, and who are examining roots to build our state’s healthy future.”

The 2019 Community Health Award recipients include:

  • Marjorie Schaffer, University Professor of Nursing Emerita, Bethel University, and Sue Strohschein, retired public health nurse consultant (Jim Parker Leadership Award)
  • DeeAnn Finley, Center for Public Health Practice, Minnesota Department of Health (Jack Korlath Partnership Award)
  • Pat Swanson, registered dietition nutritionist, Health Start School Based Clinic, Minnesota Community Care (Lou Fuller Award for Distinguished Service in Eliminating Health Disparities)
  • Marv Bodie, Carlton County Commissioner and chair, Carlton-Cook-Lake-St. Louis Community Health Board (Award for Outstanding Dedication to Local Public Health)
  • Dorothy Bliss, Center for Public Health Practice, Minnesota Department of Health (Commissioner’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Health Services)
  • Better Together Hennepin Team & Partners, Hennepin County Public Health (Certificate of Recognition)
  • Countryside Public Health Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) Community Leadership Team, representatives from Big Stone, Chippewa, Swift, Lac Qui Parle and Yellow Medicine Counties (Certificate of Recognition)
  • David C. Johnson, epidemiology manager, Hennepin County Public Health (Certificate of Recognition)

More information is available at Community Health Awards.

-MDH-

Media inquiries:

Harry Steffenhagen 
MDH Communications
651-201-4755
harry.steffenhagen@state.mn.us